HC Deb 14 July 1959 vol 609 cc187-90
10. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what investigations have been made by the Fuel Research Station, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, into the efficacy of the catalyst device or muffler, brought from the United States of America, for decontaminating and decolourising asphyxiating and noxious fumes from the exhausts of diesel oil powered vehicles; what contribution this may make to clean air policy, notably in urban and built-up areas; and whether he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works (Mr. Harmar Nicholls)

The Warren Spring Laboratory is attempting to obtain technical details of such an American device. When these are received, the claims made for the device will be examined and, if they merit investigation, this will be undertaken.

Mr. Nabarro

What does my hon. Friend mean by, "attempting to obtain "? Cannot anybody obtain by purchase one of these catalysts, which are now fairly common in the United States of America? Since our population of vehicles has increased by more than 1½ million since the Clean Air Act, 1956, was passed, would it not be appropriate for the D.S.I.R. to hurry itself in this matter?

Mr. Nicholls

There is no question of being hurried. The first date that the Department knew that this device was available was 25th June, and it immediately made efforts to obtain particulars of it. Once it has those particulars, it will follow up by obtaining the device if the first particulars show that that is warranted.

Mr. Nabarro

When will the muffler arrive? That is the point.

Mr. Nicholls

As soon as the Department is satisfied that there is a device worthy of further investigation it will take the next steps to obtain the device.

11. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, what increased facilities are now being applied by the Fuel Research Station of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research to solution of atmospheric pollution problems arising from noxious and asphyxiating motor exhaust fumes causing heavily polluted palls in urban and built-up areas, and thus derogating from progress in clean air policy.

Mr. H. Nicholls

In addition to work which they have already carried out on methods and apparatus for reducing the atmospheric pollution from petrol engines, the Warren Spring Laboratory has now started experimental work on the use of catalytic afterburners for the treatment of exhaust fumes from diesel engined motor vehicles.

Mr. Nabarro

Has my hon. Friend observed that the Minister of Housing and Local Government is so seized with the urgency and gravity of this problem that he has now referred matters to the Clean Air Council? Can my hon. Friend say what steps he proposes to take to get advice placed by the D.S.I.R. with the Clean Air Council on this problem of exhaust fumes?

Mr. Nicholls

The advice of the D.S.I.R. is always available to other Government Departments, and I can assure my hon. Friend that the D.S.I.R. is aware of the importance of having all the up-to-date knowledge on this matter which it is possible to have.

12. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Works, as representing the Lord President of the Council, in pursuit of clean air policy, what investigations have been made by the Fuel Research Station, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, into increased contamination of the atmosphere in urban and built-up areas consequent upon the increase in the number of motor vehicles, notably diesel-oil powered vehicles, and the noxious fumes from exhausts; to what extent this condition has deteriorated since the passing of the Clean Air Act, 1956; and whether he will make a statement upon findings by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research as to the influence of exhaust emissions from motor vehicles during atmospheric conditions favourable to smog concentrations.

Mr. H. Nicholls

Data collected by the Warren Spring Laboratory show no indication that the amount of smoke in the air of towns has increased in recent years; in fact, in many towns it has decreased, particularly since the passing of the Clean Air Act. Continuous observations have not been made on other pollutants in the air which originate in part from motor vehicle exhausts. There are no indications from the observations that have been made that pollutants from exhaust gases from motor vehicles accumulate in times of smog more readily than do those from other sources.

Mr. Nabarro

Does not my hon. Friend agree that not all atmospheric pollution is necessarily smoke or even discernible to the eye? Although very good progress has been made in the three years since 1956 when the Clean Air Act was passed, is it not the case that much of that progress is being nullified because no steps are being taken to reduce this appalling pall of obnoxious fumes from the exhausts of vehicles in urban and built-up areas?

Mr. Nicholls

I do not think that that can be established by the D.S.I.R. The D.S.I.R. has made the public aware of the dangers which flow from this situation. It has made public all the devices it has been able to examine. If the filters are kept clean and the machines are well maintained it is possible to reduce some of the nuisance from this source.